Awakening Read Free Page B

undressing and laid down in bed. I wanted to sleep, but my mind was
racing. I was slightly worried about Cornelius. I wished I knew the reason for
his sudden disappearance. I didn’t think there would be much that could take
him away from me when I was about to give him exactly what he had been working
for.

 
    I
woke up when I felt someone climb on the bed next to me. I could smell
Cornelius’s light cologne. I was relieved he was back. I was worried about him.
I hated how secretive he was. He claimed I didn’t trust him, but he didn’t
trust me either. The thought annoyed me a little.
    He
gently kissed my shoulder as his hand slid down to my hip. “I am sorry I had to
leave in such a hurry,” he said softly.
    “Are
you going to tell me why?” I asked trying to keep the annoyance out of my
voice.
    He
sighed like he didn’t want to answer the question. “Lillian…” he started, but I
cut him off.
    “Just
forget it. I need to go check on Drake,” I said angrily as I sat up. I got to
my feet, and put my robe on. I glanced at him wondering if he was just going to
stay there. He was watching me like he was trying to decide what to say.
    “I
don’t see why you are running away. I thought we were finally getting
somewhere,” he said dryly.
    I
scoffed. “We were, then you disappeared and won’t tell me where you went. You
want me to trust you, but you won’t trust me. I don’t see how that is going to
work.” I walked out before he could say anything else.
    I
walked across the hall toward my room. It was early evening, and the house was
starting to come to life. I was trying to relax before I went in to check on
Drake. I didn’t want him to see me upset. I didn’t want to worry him. I calmed
myself and knocked gently on the door.
    “Come
in,” Drake said from the other side.
    I
slipped into the room and smiled when I saw Drake sitting up. He was eating,
and he looked a lot better. “You look better,” I said as I walked over to him.
    “You
don’t have to knock. This is your room,” he said amused.
    I
laughed as I sat down on the bed next to him. “It is yours temporarily.
Knocking is the polite thing to do.”
    He
nodded and went back to eating some kind of soup. “Is everything ok?” he asked
as he glanced up at me.
    I
shrugged. “It’s ok as can be. I am a little irritated with the lack of
information. I want to know who tried to start the war. There are all kinds of
rumors, but no real answers.”
    “I’m
glad you didn’t follow through with going after the hunters. I know your uncle
deserves a beating, but I think it is better to try to handle things with them
diplomatically,” he said quietly.
    I
didn’t agree with him, but I wasn’t going to start a war because I had a
personal issue with my uncle. My uncle tried to have me and others I cared
about hurt because he wanted things his way. My issue was between me and him.
The packs, vampires, and hunters weren’t to blame for it, so it wouldn’t be
right for me to drag them all to war. “I think they will eventually try to
start the war themselves,” I said absently as I stood and walked to the window.
    He
shook his head. “They trust Cornelius. I think he is keeping them at bay for
the most part. I don’t really understand his relationship with the hunters, but
it works, whatever it is.”
    I
scoffed. “All the more reason we shouldn’t trust Cornelius.”
    Drake
looked at me surprised. “You don’t trust him. I thought you two…” he started,
but trailed off at my expression.
    “We
are nothing. He expects me to trust him blindly, but he won’t even trust me. He
disappears, and he won’t tell me where he is going. He is working with my
uncle. There is just too many things he is doing for me to ignore,” I said as I
looked out the window.
    “Well
if my opinion matters at all, I think he loves you. He has done a lot to keep
you, and everyone you care about safe. Older vampires are just secretive. You
will eventually get